﻿<title>Holding the Paddle</title>

<h1>Holding the Paddle</h1>

<div id="1">Before we start paddling, we need to learn how our paddles work and how to hold one properly. Although this might sound obvious, there are some tricks worth knowing.</div>

<div id="2">For example. When you swim you bend your fingers slightly into to the form of a cup. Standard kayak paddles, known as Europaddles, do the same with their blades. The cup of the blade is called the <b>power face</b>, since it creates the power that moves the kayak. The back of the blade, is called the <b>back face.</b></div>

<div id="3"><b>Most paddles are slightly asymmetrical,</b> meaning that the blades are slightly slanted. To ensure that your paddle travels smoothly through the water, <b>make sure that you are not holding your paddle upsidedown.</b></div>

<div id="4">Recommended <b>grip width is roughly the distance between your elbows</b> or a little less. It's usually a good idea to spread the workload amongst your muscles by varying your grip width while paddling. Typically you'll want to widen your grip for power and control and to narrow it for long distance paddling.</div>

<div id="5">Typically a touring paddle' blades are feathered, meaning that they are offset, like the blades of an airplane propeller. This helps reduce the air resistance of the raised blade.<br /><br />Paddles can be feathered for left- and right-handed paddlers</b>. Unless you plan to kayak with only your own paddle, try to learn to use a right-handed feather, as left-handed paddles are not commonly found at rental shops and outfitters.<br /><br />The following instructions are for right hand feathered paddles.</div>

<div id="6">Your <b>right hand is your control hand</b>. This means that your <b>grip is fixed</b> and does not change during the strokes. You can control the angle of the blade by your right hand.<br /><br />Don't hold the paddle too tight, otherwise your hands will quickly tire.</div>

<div id="7">Your <b>left hand should grasp the paddle shaft loosely</b>, to allow your right hand to twist the paddle to desired angles for turning, bracing and rolling.<br /><br />The "right hand fixed, left hand loose" grip is ideal for a wide variety of strokes, recoveries and manoeuvers.</div>